Boxing Prospects

Robert Jimenez (2 3 1 1KO) will face Eddie Melendrez ((0 4 1) in a five round lightweight bout. Jimnez opened his career with two losses to fighters that remain unbeaten. Since then, he has worked his way into two wins, one of those an impressive third round knockout over an opponent that he had previously fought to a draw. Melendez will be looking for his first win after going the distance in all but one of his fights and coming up short in close decisions. Melendrez has been out of the boxing ring for ten years, so the test will be to see how he adapts after the layoff.

Logan Strom (1 0) will step in to the ring against Gerald Powell-Wood who will be making his professional debut in the light heavyweight division. Strom scored a third-round knockout in March in his pro debut. Powell-Wood enters the fight with a slight height and reach advantage and he will need to use that in order to keep Strom at a distance while avoiding Strom’s power.

Rueben Manrajos will make his professional debut fighting Dylan Potter (1 2). Potter returned to the ring in April, dropping a close unanimous decision that swung on the outcome of one round. The heavyweight fight, scheduled for four rounds, will mean that Potter is comfortable, having gone the distance in all of his fights. Manrajos may want to bring the fight in close attacking the body to negate Potter’s height advantage.

Angel Manrajos (0 2) will be looking for his first win when he faces Jovanis Rodriguez Pallares, making his professional debut. Manrajos, in his two losses has faced tough opponents, and he may need to fall back on his skills as a boxer in facing the left-handed Pallares in this super welterweight bout.

A light heavyweight bout will feature Luis Iniguez (2 6 1) facing Javier Beltran making his professional debut. This will be Iniguez’ third fight this year after an extended layoff. Iniguez has gone the distance in each of his fights, and with the exception of his one loss by TKO, many of the decisions have hinged on the outcome of a single round. Beltran’s weapon in the fight will be his left hand, as this will be the first time Iniguez has faced a southpaw.

Derick Funkhouser (0 1) had a rough night in his pro debut as he faced an unbeaten fighter with knockout power. Emilio Lopez, making his pro debut and fighting close to home, may be able to gain an edge in the super bantam fight if he jumps on Funkhouser early. Look for Funkhouser to have worked on his defensive skills in order to keep Lopez off balance.

The Arena Wars Card at the Medford Armory will feature three professional boxing matches in addition to Kickboxing and MMA fights.

It rarely happens that a much anticipated rematch comes within a month and a half, but this is what the fans will get when Gerardo Esquivel (7 6 1 1KO) steps into the ring to again fight Margarito Hernandez (6 9 3). These two fought in Medford on May 31st in a five round fight that saw Hernandez grab a split decision victory. Esquivel took control of that bout early, but Hernandez applied pressure in the last few rounds and pounded at Esquivel’s body. Neither man is afraid to step in close and deliver body blows while taking a little punishment from the opponent. This fight is scheduled for 6 rounds, and as both men have gone the distance in a number of fights, conditioning will not likely be a factor. Hernandez will come in carrying a three win streak, while had the outcome been in his favor in their last meeting, Esquivel would be the one riding the three win streak.

Super middle weight Scottie Stockman (4 1 1KO) is waiting for an opponent to be named to face him in a five round bout. Stockman suffered his only loss in April, dropping a split decision. Stockman has gone the distance in each of his previous fights, so who ever his opponent ends up being needs to be prepared to face a well conditioned athlete.

Alec Oesterreich (1 0 1KO) made short work of his opponent in his pro debut, scoring a first round knockout. The light heavyweight opponent that faces Oesterreich will need to be wary of Oesterreich’s power right.

June 14th

Emerald Queen Casino Results

 Josue Cadena 5 0 0 Won  UD 6/6 David Reyes 3 3 

 Julio Ocampo Hernandez 7 0 0 Won by KO 4/6 Alexander Taylor 21 47 2 

Whitney Gomez 1 0 0 Won  UD 4/4 Gabrielle Roman debut 

Juan Nunez Rojas 2 0 0 Lost UD 4/4 Oscar Ivan Roberts 2 0 1 

Aaron Thompson 5 0 0 Won by TKO 3/4 Jose Johnson debut 

Agustin Tovar 3 1 0 Draw SD 4/4 Jerrell Lane debut 

Derrick Holm 1 0 0 Lost UD 4/4 Jeremiah Sierra 3 2 0 

Dedrick Crocklem 2 0 0 Won UD 4/4 Manuel Rojas Esquivel 2 5 2